He was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the national news agency Bernama said.

Shortly after his arrival, the prince inspected a guard of honor. He is accompanied by a 164-member delegation including four Saudi princes and three ministers.

Mahathir will host a dinner for Prince Sultan Abdul Aziz and his entourage at the government administrative center Putrajaya later Tuesday.

The Saudi prince's visit is at Mahathir's invitation, and the two leaders are expected to discuss various issues especially the Middle East peace process and the Israel-Palestine conflict, Bernama said.

On Wednesday, the prince is scheduled to receive an honorary doctorate in political science from the International Islamic University, before calling on Mahathir and Abdullah at Putrajaya.

Prince Sultan Abdul Aziz will meet the Malaysian King on Thursday as well as several other cabinet ministers.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has billed the prince's visit as "historic and important," saying it would open a new chapter in bilateral relations.

Syed Hamid said the Saudi prince was expected to brief the premier on the outcome of the recently concluded Arab League summit in Cairo -- KUALA LUMPUR (AFP)